Front end elevator for tractors



Jan. 6, 1948. s. s; MOORE 2,434,002

FRONT END ELEVATOR FOR TRACTORS 7 Filed Ailg. 20, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet q.

INVENTOR. .SZanZey .5. Moore BY.

Jan. 6, 1948. s. s. MOORE FRONT END ELEVATOR FOR TRACTORS Filed Aug. 20, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. SZnZey SJVZoore GROUND LINE Jan. 6,1948. 5. s. MOORE FRONT END ELEVATOR FOR TRACTORS Filed Aug. 20, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 the bottom by cross bracing Patented Jan. 6, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRONT END ELEVATOR FOR. TBACTORS Stanley S. Moore, Stockton, Calif.- Application August 20, 1945, Serial No. 611,635

1 Claim.

This invention is directed to, and it is an object to provide, an improved front end elevator for tractors.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a front end elevator which is arranged for easy mounting on, or removal from, a tractor; said elevator including a power winch which is mounted as a unitary part of, and removable with, said elevator from the tractor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a front end elevator which includes a vertically extensible elevator frame assembly whereby the implement has a relatively low normal height but a relatively great height when extended; extension of said frame assembly being accomplished by the power winch above mentioned.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel cable system between said power winch and the several parts of the extensible elevator frame assembly, whereby the latter may be extended forcefully and yet smoothly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device, and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device as mounted on a tractor.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the main frame alone, showing the manner of its attachment to a tractor.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the device.

Figure 4 is a cross section on line Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a cross section on line Fig. 4.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the improved front end elevator for tractors comprises an upstanding main frame, indicated generally at l, and which main frame comprises a pair of transversely spaced vertical frame beams 2 rigidly connected at the top by a cross beam 3 and adjacent 4. This main frame I is adapted to be removably supported from a tractor 5, ahead of the radiator 6 thereof, in the following manner:

A pair of horizontal, transversely spaced connection beams I are removablysecured to opposite sides of the tractor frame by means of bolts 8; the connection beams I projecting forwardly to a termination some distance ahead of the radiator 6, and at which point of termination said beams are secured to attachment ears9 on corresponding ones of the frame beams 2, as at H), the ears 9 being disposedv adjacent but short of the lowerend of said main frame 1. A diagonal brace H is connected between each of the frame beams 2 a substantial distance above the ears 9, and an intermediate point on the corresponding connection beam I. Mounted as above defined the main frame I is rigidly vertically supported in forwardly facing relation inadvance of the tractor. V a

On the outside thereof the frame beams 2 each support a plurality of vertically spaced rollers l2 which guidingly cooperate with a vertically movable elevator frame, indicated generally at l3. The elevator frame 13 comprises a pair of transversely spaced, vertically disposed I-beams 14 secured together adjacent topand bottom, and at the front clear of the laterally facing channels of said Lbeams, by cross members indicated at 15 and IS. The innermost channels I! of the I-beams l4 have the guide rollers l2 engaged therein, whereby the elevator frame i3 is freely movable vertically in guided relation.

An elevator carriage l8 extends horizontally across the front of the assembly of main frame I and elevator frame l3, and includes, at the sides, rearward extensions IS, on each of which a pair of vertically spaced rollers 20 are mounted; said rollers projecting inwardly and riding in the laterally outwardly facing channels 2| of the I- beams M of the elevator frame l3.

By reason of the above described arrangement, the elevator carriage I8 is vertically movable relative to the elevator frame [3, while the latter is vertically movable relative to the main frame I, whereby to provide a vertically extensible elevator assembly.

The elevator carriage 18 is formed, at the front, with a front plate 22 including top and bottom flanges 23 projecing forwardly from corresponding edges of said front plate. To the front plate 22 there is removably attached the load engaging members, here shown as transversely spaced, forwardly projecting lift-fork elements 24, which include attachment legs 25 removably secured in abutting relation against the front plate 22 be- 28 driven from the crank shaft29'1of the tractor.

by means of an endless belt 30.

A cable 3| is connected to the cable drum 32 From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departurefrom he spirit f the invention, as defined by :the appended -claim.

Having" thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon "which Letters Patent are desired:

,il"Aiifrontgend(elevator for tractors including a of the power winch and extends upwardly over a direction-changing sheave 33 on the front of the.

main frame I adjacent the top and oneside of the latter. From the sheave 33 the cableextends downwardly about a sheave 34 on the front of the elevator frame '13 at thebottBm and to the corresponding side thereof. Thence the cable runs upwardly to the top of the elevator'frame and thence Over another 'sheave35 on the top thereof and on "the same side. "From the sheave '35 the cable extends downwardly and about a transverse aXis sheave36 on the corresponding end of the elevatorcarriage 18. From the sheave 36 the cable extends upwardly to the back of the main frame .at thefltonipassing over 'an adjacent sheave 31 and :thence extending across the "back of said mainframe and about a top and back sheave 38 on the other side of said mainframe. From the -sheave,;38 the cable extends down theright side of the elevator frameassembly and is thence reeved about sheaves 39, 40, and 4|, correspond- ;ing mespectively in position to the sheaves 36,35, and 34, but on the opposite side of the elevator frameassembly. vFrom the sheave, the cable extends upwardly and is dead-ended onthe main fframeas'at lflfhepower winch 26 is controlled by the operator 'of the tractor by control means not here fsjhown; saidfwi'nch bein norma l bra and j'not operative, l-Iowever, upon b'r'ake release and "operation of the winchf'26 the cable 3| win'ds onto the'cable'drum 32,which causes a shortening offthe cable system on both sides "of the elevator frame'assem'bly, resulting in smoothbut forceful lifting of the elevator frame l3 and'the elevator jcarri'age 18. The amount of extension of the frame ass'embly is of course under the control *o'f'the operator, whereby he can effectively regulate'the height to whichthe load is raised by the *elevator carriage l8,

When'it is desired to remove the front end elevator'fr'om thetractor it is only necessary to detach the bolts 8', whereupon the connection beams J, together with the remainder of the device, may be readily detachedfromsaid, tractor. As the power-winQh.26 is mounted as a unitary part of the device, and as said winch is belt-driven, it is only necessary that the endless belt '3fl be removed to separate the drive means for. the .winch from thetractor crank shaft-29.

. .Q he; 61

rigid, substantially rectangular main frame, means for'attaching said main frame in a subtan iially:ryertical gposition to a tractor frame, a cable drum winch mounted within the main frame-"with its drum axis extending transversely of the frame, detachable means to connect the winch drum with a power t'ake off on the tractor, an' el'e'vator frame mounted forgui'ded vertical movement relative to the main frame, an elevator carriage mountedffor' Lguided vertical movement relative to the elevatorframe, a sheave on the mainggframedisposed ahead of.the frontplane thereof ,randadjacentone side of the frame with itsaxis-parallel with the drumaxis, a sheave disposed at each side of both ,the upper and lower pr dsof the elevator frame, and with their axes parallel with the drum axis, a sheave at each end evator carriage, the axis of said carriage sheaye lying transversely of the drumaxis, a sheaveat the back of the main frame at each end thereof, axestof saidlatter named sheaves lyi g gpa'rallel to the drum axis, a cable on the v.druingsuchcable being reeved through the sheave :giithefrQnt side of themain frame, thence about fthe wer sheave onthe corresponding side of the e v'a or' fframe, thence about the upper sheave on 'saidside'of the elevator. frame, thence about the carriagesheavepn the corresponding end of the carr age; thence over the sheave on the back fian'i adjacent said side, thence'passing back of 'theunai'nframe to the opposite side thereof and thence about the back sheave on the main frame on' that' 'side, hence about the carriage sheave on the top sheave on the ele- .vatorfframeon thatside, hence about the lower elevator sheave on that side, the end of said cable being'fthe'n secured to the. mainframe adjacent rthewupperend thereof.

. STANLEY S. MOORE.

tnnnrtnnons CITED U N'ITED STATES PATENTS 0 Number ,Name Date 2,080,304 Cochran May 11, 1937 2,3511 ,92 6 C oates -June 20, 1944 2,394,458 Lull Feb. 5, I946 

